PRESIDENT JOHN Evans Atta Mills yesterday released his first list of Ministers who would assist him to fulfil his pledge to reduce fuel prices, introduce one time premium for the National Health Insurance Scheme and reduce poverty to its lowest level.

The list can best be described as a mixture of competency and pizzazz.

A release from the office of the President, named the nominees as Hon. Mike Hammah, Minister designate for Road and Transport, Alex Tettey Enyo, former Director General of the Ghana Education Service, takes over as the Minister designate of Education, Hanah Tetteh - Trade and Industry, Dr. Oteng Adjei, Academic Registrar at the Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA) and a former director at the Ministry of Fuel and Power takes charge at the Energy Ministry, Betty Mould Iddrisu -Attorney General, Akua Dansua -Women and Children's Affairs, Juliana Azuma -Tourism, Collins Dauda -Lands, Forestry and Mines, Haruna Idrisu -Communication, Shirley Ayitey - Environmenty Sceince and Technology.

The Release also named four party stalwarts for consideration as Regional Ministers. They are Nyamekye Marfo -Brong-Ahafo, Nii Armah Ashietey -Greater Accra, Ofosu Ampofo -Eastern region, and Ama Benyiwa Doe as Central regional Minister designate.

Mr. J.K Bebaako-Mensah, Secretary to the President, who signed the statement said "Nominations for other Ministries and Regions will be made public in due course".

Moments after the names had been released, the Minister designate for Lands and Forestry, Alhaji Collins Dauda told Joy fm that he would work hard towards the re-afforestation of the country's fast depleting forests.

Collins Dauda, during his tenure as MP served in various committees -especially Lands and Forestry under the regime of the NPP.

Ms. Akua Dansua, Minister designate for Women and Children Affairs stated that the policies of the NDC for women, as contained in the party's manifesto would be vigorously implemented. Juliana Azumah, who is MP for Ho East, also told Joy Fm that she was happy to be appointed to head the Tourism Ministry.

I am absolutely delighted to serve my country, was how the nominee for the Attorney General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu put it. She promised to bring her wealth of experience to bear on the job. She also promised to introduce a number of reforms that would benefit the larger society.

For her part, Hannah Tetteh, Communication director of the government transitional team said she was grateful to the President for nominating her. According to her, she served on the Trade and Industry committee whilst she was in parliament, so she was aware of the challenges in the sector. She was hopeful that she would convince the Appointment committee of parliament who would vet her.

On his part, Nana Kofi Coomson, a veteran journalists and the former Editor of The Chronicle newspaper, described the nominees as a team of competence and pizzazz.

According to him, the personalities are very honest and truthful, and would help President Mills to achieve his desired goals, adding that the nominees would fly at the vetting committee.

Nana Coomson, who initially advocated for Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu as the Speaker of Parliament, extolled her virtues.

On Hon. Haruna Idrisu's appointment as Minister designate for Communications, he noted that the youthful and enterprising legislator has demonstrated his ability to deliver, saying he was the new kid on the block.

"He is a fresh kid on the block. He is very good on issues. In fact, he is sparkling and pizzazz," he said. Mirroring Hon. Mike Hammah, Mr. Coomson, who stated that he knew all the appointees for close to 17 years and described Mike Hammah as his personal friend, said "Mike Hammer is honest and competent."

On Mad. Ama Benyiwa-Doe, who is Central regional Minister designate, Mr. Coomson argued that the she would surely bring her experiences as former Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare to bear, and would help consolidate the gains of the NDC in the region.

The former Editor of The Chronicle was full of praise for Mrs. Betty-Mould-Iddrisu and contended that her appointment as Attorney General did not come to him as a surprise, because she was widely accepted ahead of the appointment.

"She has got international recommendations and was wildly accepted in the country. She has no skeleton in her cupboard," he said.

Responding to assertions that the NDC is bringing old guards in the new administration, he described it as nonsense. "They are not old guards. They are relatively young and I can say that they will actually fly at the vetting committee."

He was also of the view that individuals that fought tirelessly for the party and have the competence and capacity should be rewarded.

"They have worked tireless and fought for the party. They should be rewarded for their efforts. Apart from that they are capable and competence."

To him, the new team represents nothing but a mixture of competence and pizzazz, he reiterated.

Speaking on what has motivated his latest move to laud every activity of President Mills, he replied that his motivation was the truth. "Nothing has changed. It is the truth that is motivating me. Why? Is it the case that if I know the people and who they are, I should not say it? I know them," he emphasized.